Blurb:
Ordered by the Prince Regent into the Caribbean, English sea captain and former privateer Jean Nicholas Powell has no time for women onboard the Wind Raven, especially not Tara McConnell. The impudent American forced herself aboard, and so she’ll get more than she bargained for: Instead of a direct sail to Baltimore, she’ll join their quest to investigate a rampaging pirate, the infamous Roberto Cofresi.
But the hoyden thinks she can crew with his men, and though he bans her from the rigging, Nick is captivated watching her lithe, luscious movements on deck. Facing high seas, storms, cutthroats and the endless unknown, he must protect his ship, his passenger, his crew. But on this voyage, with this woman, there is a greater danger: to his heart.
Links:
Amazon buy link for Wind Raven: http://www.amazon.com/Raven-
Regan’s website: http://www.reganwalkerauthor.
Regan’s blog: http://reganromancereview.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/regan.
What inspired the story:
I have always loved sailing ships and the sea. And the challenge of setting a story on a ship called to me. To get the feel of a Regency era schooner, I even took a ride on the Californian, a reproduction schooner berthed in San Diego where I live. When Capt. Jean Nicholas Powell was introduced as Sir Martin's older brother in Against the Wind (book 2 in the Agents of the Crown trilogy), it was clear that Nick's own story would be a different kind of Regency--a seafaring adventure much of which would take place on his schooner. I wanted to write a story that told about what the British were doing in 1817 who were not in London and I wanted to feature an American heroine who would still be licking the wounds of the War of 1812. And, of course, there had to be a pirate--and the one in Wind Raven is a real historic figure.
Prologue
St. Thomas, the West Indies, July 1815
Captain
Jean Nicholas Powell stepped from the oppressive Caribbean sun into the dim
light of the familiar dockside tavern, pausing for his eyes to adjust to the
darkened room. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and he wiped it away with the
back of his hand. Swallowing, his throat felt as dry as the dock he’d left
baking in the sun.
Tobacco
smoke hung in the hot, still air, so thick it obscured the tankards on the
shelf behind the bar and the faded painting of a nude woman hanging above it.
Casting a glance at the men who leaned against the counter nursing their
drinks, he noted the man he searched for was not among them.
Striding
from the bar, Nick weaved his way through the tables crowding the long, smoke-
filled room. The sharp smell of tobacco, though familiar, made him regret there
were so few windows. Some of the other captains looked up as he passed, their
eyes acknowledging him as one of their own.
“’Lo,
Nick,” said Latimer, an English merchantman. “’Bout time you were joining us.”
His
eyes still searching the room, Nick said, “Had an appointment at the dock. I’ve
been desperate for a drink for nigh on an hour. Seen Russ?”
“Think
he came in earlier. Might be in the back.”
A
buxom redhead approached Nick with beckoning eyes. He recognized Molly, one of
several wenches employed by Amos for the pleasure of those who patronized
Esmit’s Tavern.
“What
would you like, Cap’n?” The invitation in her smile and the shoulder bared by
her low bodice suggested she was offering more than drink.
“Just
rum for now, lass. Thanks.”
A
familiar shout of “Captain!” from the rear of the tavern drew Nick’s attention
to the blond head of his first mate, Russell Ainsworth.
He
resumed his path through the tables of drinking men and serving wenches, their
conversations a dull roar, the stink of sweat and rum blending with the tobacco
to assail his nostrils. Reaching the table where Russ sat alone with a tankard,
Nick slid into the unoccupied chair as Molly delivered his rum and another
smile. Lifting the tankard, Nick took a long draw on the lukewarm liquid. At
least it was wet.
He
wiped his brow on his sleeve and inquired, “Is all in order on the Raven?”
“It
is. Wasn’t pleasant, though. Last night’s revelries are taking their toll.
There were a few dropped crates and the netting for one load tore free, leaving
one of the crew tangled in the ropes.” At Nick’s raised brow, Russ added, “But
she’ll be ready to sail on the tide. Did you have any success finding a bos’n?”
Nick
threw back another swallow of the sweet liquor and let out a sigh. “I did. A
big Swede named Johansson. You might remember him from a fight last time we
were in port. The men said he fought like a gentleman but with fists of iron.
When we lost the bosun last run, they suggested his name to me and said he
might be in port today. I thought it would be good to have him on our side
given the waters we sail. And it seems he’s anxious for a change.”
“Sounds
like a good acquisition,” Russ said.
Nick
looked around, taking in those men he didn’t recognize. At the next table two
tawny-haired Americans argued with three hardened seamen. The older American’s
clothing and his air of command suggested he was a captain of an age with Nick.
The conversation of the five men, who were clearly in their cups, grew
boisterous, their disagreement apparent to any near enough to hear above the
din of the crowded tavern.
Out
of the corner of his eye, Nick watched the American captain raise his tankard
in toast. “A drink to our sister, one of the finest crewmembers ever to sail
aboard my ship!”
The
other American, nearly identical in appearance and with the same tawny hair,
clinked his mug against his brother’s, the rum sloshing onto the table. “That
she is, George!”
The
old salts looked doubtful but nevertheless joined in what was obviously one of
many toasts. “If’n ye say so, Cap’n George, but I’ve never been easy with such
meself. Don’t like sailin’ with women,” he said with a sneer. “Them’s trouble.
The captain I sail for would have none of ’em on his ship.” His compatriots
mumbled their agreement but took up the toast and, with dazed expressions,
cheerfully quaffed their rum.
Nick
shuddered as he tried to imagine what a woman would look like who crewed with
men. One of those damned Yankee women, no doubt. Like most captains, he’d have
no females among his crew. Passengers only occasionally and even those
presented a risk. On rare occasions, he might invite an English girl with
creamy white skin or a tanned island beauty with dark gypsy eyes aboard the Raven.
But neither served as crew and neither sailed with them long.
With
one pint of rum in his belly, he greeted Molly’s return to their table with a
smile and pulled her onto his lap. “There’ll be no hag in the rigging on the Raven.
I prefer only beautiful women and those in my bunk, not swabbing the deck.” He
glanced at the smiling Molly, whose bountiful breasts were pressing against his
chest. “Seems the right place for a pretty lass, don’t you agree?”
“You
can take me on yer ship anytime, Cap’n Nick,” purred the redhead.
Russ
gave out a chuckle, and the American captain threw Nick a fierce gaze. With
narrowed eyes and slightly slurred words, the tawny-haired captain pushed back
his chair and stood to glare at Nick.
“You
don’t know our sister, English, so you can keep your views to yourself.”
Nick
set Molly aside and slowly rose from his chair. “I have no opinion of your
sister, my good man, but if it’s a fight you’re looking for, I’ll not turn
aside a challenge.”
The
younger American tugged at his brother’s shirt. “George, leave off. It’s too
hot to fight.”
Ignoring
the caution, the tall American captain leaped across the small distance, and
with speed that belied his condition, slung his fist into Nick’s jaw, nearly
knocking him off his feet. Nick shook off the pain, shoved aside the table and
threw a hard punch into the American’s ribs.
The
American fell backward, knocking over another table with a loud thud. Tankards
of rum flew in all directions, splashing the liquor on those sitting nearby.
Curses rose in a loud crescendo as the observers, doused with rum, stepped
aside.
“Get
Molly out of here, Russ,” Nick ordered his first mate, who hastened to usher
the barmaid out of the way. Nick and the American circled each other. The men
in the tavern cleared a space around them and, shouting encouragement to their
favorite, placed bets in what was quickly becoming the afternoon’s
entertainment.
“Two
quid on the American!” shouted one.
“Five on Cap’n Nick! I’ve seen him
fight.”
Fists flew, and feeling the pain from another gut punch, Nick realized
it might be some time before he could defeat this man, who, even foxed, was
very much his match. Resolved, he slammed his right fist into the American’s
jaw, sending him to the floor.
Nick
braced himself for the next round as the American picked himself off the floor,
but the bartender stepped between them.
“Ye
can take yer fight outside, captains,” said Amos, with his fists on his broad
hips and a scowl on his round face. “I’ll not have me tables broken.”
Nick
dropped his arms to his side. “Sorry, Amos. Was just a misunderstanding
between...ah...friends.”
The
American captain’s blue-green eyes glared hatred, but his brother whispered
into his ear and pulled him back to his seat. The men who had gathered around,
seeing the fight had come to an end, ambled back to their chairs, mumbling
words of disappointment as their bets were returned.
“Nick,”
whispered Russ, ‘the last thing we need is a fight with an American. The war is
over, remember? And England has declared St. Thomas a free port.”
Russ
was right. As a merchant captain, Nick looked forward to the lucrative trade
peace would bring. Holding his hand over his heart, Nick dipped his head in
grand gesture to the Americans. “My apologies, good fellows. Never meant to
insult your sister. I like women just fine, though I prefer them in my bed and
not cluttering up the deck of my ship.”
The
older American’s thunderous expression told Nick that, notwithstanding his
apology, he’d made an enemy. He hoped he would not see the American again soon.
Dropping some coins on the table Russ had righted, Nick and his first mate left
the tavern, a question rumbling in his mind.
What
kind of a woman would crew with men?
As a child Regan Walker loved to write stories, particularly about adventure-loving girls, but by the time she got to college more serious pursuits took priority. One of her professors encouraged her to pursue the profession of law, which she did. Years of serving clients in private practice and several stints in high levels of government gave her a love of international travel and a feel for the demands of the “Crown” on its subjects. Hence her romance novels often involve a demanding Prince Regent who thinks of his subjects as his private talent pool.
Regan lives in San Diego with her golden retriever, Link, whom she says inspires her every day to relax and smell the roses.
Hi, Beverly! Thanks for featuring Wind Raven on your blog! Seafaring romances with pirates are such an adventure!
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